Day 26 - Portion Control

American's are not only getting larger around the waist, but our plate size is increasing as well. According to many nutritionists, Americans have the largest food portion sizes in the world. Our economy encourages us to eat what we want, as much as we want, and whenever we want.  Unfortunately, a combination of "super-sized" portions and poor nutritional quality has led to the fastest growing epidemic in American history, Diabesity. 


In her book Diabesity: The Obesity-Diabetes Epidemic That Threatens America—And What We Must Do to Stop It, Dr. Kaufman explains the roots of diabesity quite simply: "Our ancient genes and our modern environment have collided." Our bodies store excess calories as fat. In ancient times calories were hard to come by. Today, fast food and junk food are everywhere. Coupled with our increasingly inactive lifestyle, the result is obesity.

Many people know they are overweight. Many know they need to change, but they don't. Why? They are unwilling to change their lifestyle and think that they will get bailed out somehow in the end. Unfortunately, obesity is just the start. Diabetes is now a household term and is rising at exponential rates.

It's time to take your health more seriously and that can begin with a simple step: portion control.


Here are the standard portion sizes for one meal:

The following are general portion guidelines to help you. 

Food - One Serving Equals . . . Breads, pasta, cereal, cooked grain, etc.

One slice of bread (size of CD case)
Half a bagel (size of a hockey puck)
One-cup cereal (two hands cupped together)
Half-cup cooked grain or pasta (one cupped palm)

Fruits


One piece of fruit (size of a tennis ball)

Half-cup cut-up fruit, raw, cooked, frozen, or canned (size of seven cotton balls)
One-quarter cup dried fruit
Three quarters cup 100 percent fruit juice

Veggies
Half cup cut up veggie, raw, cooked, frozen, or canned (looks like the bulb part of a lightbulb)
Half-cup cooked, canned or frozen legumes
One-cup leafy greens
Three quarters cup 100 percent vegetable juice

Meat, chicken, or fish
Three ounces (deck of cards or checkbook)
One egg

Dairy
One ounce of cheese (two nine-volt batteries)
Half-cup ice cream, cottage cheese, or pudding
One-cup milk or yogurt


Nuts
One-third cup (small handful)
One-tablespoon nut butter (size of both your thumbs)




When the Promised Land was distributed to the children of Israel all the tribes received a portion of the land except the Levites. The Lord God became their portion. They were to be God-centered and supported with tithes from the other tribes.

Although David was from the tribe of Judah he set the example of being God-centered. He gave his entire fortune of gold and silver to the building of the temple.

In Psalm 119 he pledged to obey God’s word. If God is our portion, we can have as much of him as we want and know that we can never run out of him.

You are my portion, LORD; 

I have promised to obey your words. 

I have sought your face with all my heart; 

   be gracious to me according to your promise. 

I have considered my ways 

   and have turned my steps to your statutes. 

I will hasten and not delay 

   to obey your commands. 

Though the wicked bind me with ropes, 

   I will not forget your law. 

At midnight I rise to give you thanks 

   for your righteous laws. 

I am a friend to all who fear you, 

   to all who follow your precepts. 

The earth is filled with your love, LORD; 

   teach me your decrees.

Psalm 119:57-64 

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The Purpose Driven Life - Finding Your Purpose


CHAPTER 26 - GROWING THROUGH TEMPTATION


Every temptation is an opportunity to do good.

On the path to spiritual maturity, even temptation becomes a stepping stone rather than a stumbling block when you realize that it is just as much an occasion to do the right thing as it is to do the wrong thing. Temptation simply provides the choice.

While temptation is Satan's primary weapon to destroy you, God wants to use it to develop you.
  Every time you choose to to do good instead of sin, you are growing in the character of Christ. 

How do you overcome temptation? Follow these steps:

• Refuse to be intimidated 
• Recognize your pattern of temptation and be prepared for it
• Request God's help

Point to Ponder: Every temptation is an opportunity to do good. 

Verse to Remember: "God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." James 1:12 (NLT)

Question to Consider: What Christlike character quality can I develop by defeating the most common temptation I face?